Press Release

Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) today applauded the White House's cancellation of a plan to cut $252 million in vital pandemic funding. In May, the Trump administration proposed slashing previously allocated funds for a number of programs, including children's health insurance, affordable housing, and efforts to counter Ebola.

Representative Bera has led Congressional opposition to cutting emergency Ebola funds. In light of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has killed at least 25 people, he urged the House Appropriations Committee and National Security Advisor John Bolton to fully fund America's global health security programs. Congressman Bera also pressed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the funding in a House Foreign Affairs hearing, where the Secretary personally committed to reviewing the proposed cuts.

"Cutting these funds would have been very shortsighted and I'm glad the administration listened to health experts on this issue," said Congressman Bera. "Congress has long funded pandemic response efforts in a bipartisan manner and the United States' unique ability to fight global outbreaks makes our help and expertise invaluable. We need to continue that leadership."

As a doctor, Congressman Bera has always been a strong supporter of American leadership in global health. He led efforts by the House Foreign Affairs Committee to address the global Zika epidemic and has pushed Congress to do more to stop future outbreaks.